Discover more about the history of san nicola and santa claus the history of san nicola and the true origins of santa claus. Long before he lived in the north pole, and long before his yearly christmas visits brought joy to all the children of the world, santa claus was a child himself. As a historian of religions who has written books about ancient saints, i caution against reading accounts of saints lives as factual history. However, the origin of santa claus and krampus started out as two separate myths from different regions of the world. The modern image of santa claus has been refined again and again. Nicholas, soon became known as the classic the night before christmas and was so popular that within a decade it had become canon with regard to the santa legend. The autobiography of santa claus by jeff guinn, paperback. Tony van renterghem writes in when santa was a shaman. Much of santa clauss mythos was not set in stone at the time, leaving baum to give his neclaus neciles little one a wide variety of immortal support, a home in the laughing valley of hohaho, and ten reindeerwho could not fly, but leapt in enormous, flightlike bounds. Nickno matter the name, everyone knows the story of this plump, jolly, bringer of. Nast didnt look for his santa in the images of saint nicholas. The santa claus we know today wasnt always a sleigh riding giftgiving jolly man in a red suit. Irvings book was a lampoon of the dutch culture of new york, and much of this portrait is his joking invention. Nicholas, and how the story of the saint led to the modernday vision of santa claus.
Here is a look at the history of santa claus over the centuries, the meaning behind the man, and how his image has been portrayed in art. Sundbloms work and his version of santa claus pictured above in those years is now some of the most desired depictions of holiday advertising and santa claus himself for christmas collectors and advertising collectors alike. Eric john naea ssatnakluss lost origin of santa claus book one eric john naea warning. In newly christianized areas where the pagan celtic and germanic cults remained strong, legends of the god wodan were blended with those of. Get the best deals on duncan royale collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at.
He is the author of eight books, including the sixteenth minute. Father christmas fills the role in many european countries. Nicholas was a historic 4thcentury greek saint from an area now in modern day turkey who had a reputation for secret giftgiving, such as putting coins in the shoes left out for him. Washington irvings 1809 book knickerbockers history of new york. Lets take a look at where the jolly old guy came from. In 1804, john pintard, a member of the new york historical society, distributed woodcuts of st. Nicholas was a historic 4thcentury greek saint from an area now in modern day turkey who had a reputation for secret giftgiving, such as. The story of santa claus by joseph mccullough goodreads.
Santa claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of christmas in the united states and other countries, bringing gifts to children. By about 1200, explained university of manitoba historian gerry bowler, author of santa claus. The history and origins of santa claus jason mankey. Articles it might surprise many today to find out that saint nicholas spoiler alert is. History of santa claus 1983 duncan royale hcdj christmas holiday figures book. His popular image is based on traditions associated with saint nicholas, a 4thcentury christian saint. It is believed that nicholas was born sometime around 280 a. Jeff guinn is books editor at the fort worth startelegram.
However, far from being the offshoot of saint nicholas of turkey, santa claus is the last of a long line of what scholars call wild men who were worshipped in ancient. This christmas tell your children the real santa claus story. Luckily, there exists a bevy of books that uncover the myth beneath christmas. Nicholas, sinterklaas an abbreviation of sint nikolaas. As his prominence grew, sinter klaas was described as everything. His description of saint nicholas personified the jolly old elf known to millions of children throughout the world. Yes, there is a santa claus and this provocative book will tell you who he really is. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading history of santa claus book 1 santa. Lets consider what we can learn from gods word regarding christians and santa claus in light of the true meaning of christmas.
History of santa claus book 1 santa through the years kindle edition by portman, sandra l download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Nast continued to draw santa over the years, trying on a few other looks for santa, including the image of him as an extremely tiny, pajamawearing elf who makes all his own toys in this book santa and his works from 1870. Today we take a look at the comic book origins kinda, but mostly the adventures of santa claus in comics. While children tend to be drawn towards the fiction holiday books, many like to peruse the nonfiction as well and to young children, the story of santa claus is as real as it gets. Nicholas sinterklaas, hence santa claus was brought. Frankly, most of the book has nothing whatsoever to do with santa claus but dwells upon anecdotal stories of these wild men as the true origin of santa claus. A magnificently illustrated fable explains how nicholas cl. To reconcile the legend of santa claus with the religious significance of christmas, some christians emphasize that the modern figure is derived from legends about a. The delightful story is set on christmas eve and tells of a tenyearold boy who is. The legend of santa claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named st. Nicholas was first used in the american press in 1773. Origins of santa claus todays image of santa claus is vastly different from the one that many believe was the inspiration behind the icon in the first place. Nicholas as the patron saint of new york in his book, the history of new york.
There really is a santa claus history of saint nicholas. The story of santa claus by joseph a mccullough blends the two, treating the topic of santa seriously, being careful not to destroy any beliefs held by the young reader. In washington irvings satirical story history of new york 1809, sinterklaas was americanized into santa claus. But if you see something that doesnt look right, contact us.
Her book is called the legend of the twentyfirst north pole santa. His origins date back to a 4th century greek saint. As with many things in our culture, santa has his beginnings in a christian past. Denise graham zahn has written a book to update the 20th century one santa claus withhelpers tradition to a new multicultural santa claus family tradition for the 21st century. Santa claus is everywhere, and although hes traditionally associated with the christmas holiday, his origins can be traced back to a blend of an early christian bishop and later saint and a norse deity. Teresa chris, author of the book the story of santa claus, wrote that in 1822, moore sat down to write his children a christmas poem, having been inspired by irvings tales. Nasts santa was much like moores, but a short man instead of a jolly elf, and most likely influenced by the customs of his homeland. That year, in 1931, a more jolly santa claus appeared in national geographic, ladies home journal, and the new yorker among others. This is a very helpful book for children asking questions about santa claus. The story is a little quirky, but what a great framework for the message it is very cleverly written. A biography, he became known as a patron of children and magical gift bringer because of two great stories from his life. The origins of christmas, and santa claus, branch off into different beliefs and areas siberian shamanism and the amanita muscaria being a branch on the christmas tree, if you will, among different branches including the christian st.
History of santa claus book 1 santa through the years. The history of santa claus dates some 1,700 years ago to a bishop named st. The name santa claus evolved from nick s dutch nickname, sinter klaas, a shortened form of sint nikolaas dutch for saint nicholas. The ancient origins of santa claus ancient origins. Saint nicholas and the origins of santa claus from stephen nichols dec 17, 2018 category. Here are 9 books that tell the true story of santa. Frank baums the life and adventures of santa claus, a 1902 childrens book, further popularized santa claus. Travel back in time to view santa s pagan origins and his fascinating connections to the horned shaman, the greek god pan, the norse god wodan, and robin hood. He did not always have long white whiskers, and he did not always wear a big red suit. The original santa claus story santa claus history pghome.
Born in modernday turkey, nicholas was neither fat nor jolly, nor was he associated with christmas. For most americans it would be the bavarianborn thomas nast who would forever define santa claus. Jones recounts the evidence telling how santa claus was created in 19th century new york flemish sinterklaas influence in nieuw nederland not everyone in the dutch colonies was dutch meet the man behind the beard bishop michael curry interviews santa claus father christmas. Early in the book, the author recounts the traditional stories about saint nicholas and his morphing into the santa claus the entire world knows today. Nicholas, paganism, nordic mythology, anglosaxon tradition, roman festivities, and so on and so forth, all. Nicholas rose to prominence among the saints because he was the patron of so many groups. We also breakdown what abilties santa has in the comic books. The origin of santa claus and krampus historic mysteries. But the chubby and plump appearance of americas santa claus is generally traced to the 19th century poem twas the night before christmas an attempt to create a more friendly.